Protect the Northwest from Dirty Coal

State and federal agencies are considering four proposed coal terminals that would export millions of tons of coal mined in Montana and Wyoming to coal-fired power plants in Asia -- but only after the coal travels through Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Traveling by train and barge, the coal would threaten our air and water with coal dust, spills and dirty diesel exhaust.

And Big Coal is pressuring federal agencies to rubber-stamp permits for these disastrous projects without first reviewing the environmental impacts.Turning the Northwest into a conduit for dirty coal is bad for endangered species and people. These projects would pose significant negative impacts to air, water, climate, wildlife and human health and should receive an in-depth study before any permits are issued.

Send a message today to Congress and the Army Corps of Engineers to stop these disastrous coal terminals in their tracks.

I am writing because I am concerned about the significant impacts that coal export terminals would have on the environment, on endangered species and on human health in the Pacific Northwest.

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There are currently four proposals to develop coal terminals in Washington and Oregon that would export millions of tons of coal every year. Coal mined in Montana would be transported by train and barge through Idaho, Oregon and Washington, putting wildlife and human communities in all four states in the path of dangerous coal dust, accidental spills and increased diesel exhaust. Mining, transporting and burning coal cause air and water pollution and contribute to global climate change.

Given the significant impacts to endangered species, air, water, climate and human health, an environmental impact statement must be prepared for each individual project.

Additionally, I am concerned about the local, regional and global impacts to my community from the cumulative impacts of the combined proposals. The federal agencies involved must conduct an in-depth, area-wide environmental review that considers impacts of all proposed projects -- from mining to power plant burning -- prior to any permits being issued. I also request an independent, comprehensive health impact assessment regarding the regional and global impacts of proposed coal export terminals.